Mayor Sam Katz (CHRISD.CA FILE)
Winnipeg’s mayor is suing the University of Winnipeg, The Uniter newspaper and a student journalist over an op-ed piece published last December.
Sam Katz says the article, titled “The Local Political Blunder,” is defamatory and implies he’s involved in criminal activity. The piece was penned by volunteer writer Josh Benoit and published in the paper’s December 4 issue, which references Katz’s dealings with commercial realty company Shindico, the controversial fire hall land swap deal, and former city CAO Phil Sheegl.
The article also appears to attribute a false quote from Katz to Sheegl regarding Shindico.
The lawsuit was filed January 28 and Katz is seeking unspecified damages. The allegations haven’t been proven in court.
UPDATE: The University of Winnipeg has released the following statement:
Reports have been published in the media today indicating that The University of Winnipeg, along with the publisher of The Uniter student newspaper, Mouseland Press, and a reporter, is being sued by Mayor Sam Katz.
The inclusion of the University of Winnipeg is erroneous as the University exercises no control whatsoever over The Uniter’s actions, editorial content, reporters or editorial board. The University has neither administrative control over Mouseland Press nor representation on its Board of Directors. Mouseland Press Inc. is a private and independent company established in 2006 and is separate from the University.
